Rotary electromechanical actuators rotary actuation product

The Rotary electromechanical actuators is a rotary actuator from Moog with aerospace-grade and in-production specifications. The rotary electromechanical actuators from Moog are rotary actuation products for unmanned aircraft and advanced air mobility, built around brush or brushless DC motors with spur gearing. They convert an electrical command into controlled angular movement of an output shaft, and are used to drive flight control surfaces and other mechanisms on aircraft.

Typical platforms are unmanned aerial vehicles, remotely piloted vehicles, target drones, utility aircraft and advanced air mobility aircraft. Moog has designed and built electromechanical actuators of this type for more than 35 years, with in-house design, manufacturing, engineering support and qualification. The line covers 25 to 2,500 in-lb in rotary configurations, with linear versions from 100 to 2,000 lbf.

The motors use neodymium and rare earth magnets, and position feedback is provided by potentiometers. Amplifiers can be separate or embedded, in analog or digital form, and several models are servo actuators with integral electronics, which removes a separate drive from the airframe. Redundancy can be designed in when the customer needs it.

The standard models listed by Moog give an idea of the range. The 220 weighs 0.6 lbs, measures 0.90 x 2.7 x 4.1 in, has a load torque of 50 or 100 in-lbs depending on output configuration and a stroke of +/-45 degrees. The 820 offers 80 in-lbs rated and 150 peak, 0 to 90 degrees stroke and 2.8 lbs. The 863 gives 150 rated and 320 peak in-lbs, +/-45 degrees and 2.0 lbs. The 935 gives 150 rated and 600 peak in-lbs, +/-45 degrees and 3.9 lbs. The 965 gives 2,200 rated and 2,500 peak in-lbs, +/-90 degrees and 11.5 lbs. These models run on 28 VDC. Further designs include the 905 (150 rated, 300 peak in-lbs, +/-33 degrees, 3 lbs), the 915 (300 peak in-lbs, +/-46 degrees, 7 lbs) and the 971 (15 rated, 200 peak in-lbs, +/-30 degrees, 3.2 lbs actuator only).

For integration, Moog offers several command and communication interfaces: analog (for example +/-10 VDC), RS-232, RS-422 and RS-485, R/C PWM and CAN bus. The torque, stroke and operating voltage columns allow a first selection; the rated torque is the value for continuous duty and the peak torque the short-duration capability. When no standard design fits, Moog customizes the actuator, most often with larger angular deflection, special mounting provisions or relocated connectors and other mechanical parts, and supports development, qualification and certification, including program management for milestone reporting.

The producing site in Blacksburg, Virginia is an FAA and EASA approved repair station and holds AS9100 and ISO 9001 certification, so the actuators can be supported with repairs, upgrades and overhauls. CAD models of the actuators are available from Moog for mechanical planning.